ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM chairs a meeting of the Task Force on Corona Vaccine Development, Drug Discovery, Diagnosis and Testing
The PM took a detailed review of the current status of India’s efforts in vaccine development, drug discovery, diagnosis and testing. Indian vaccine companies are well known for their quality, manufacturing capacity and global presence. Today in addition, they have come across as innovators in early stage vaccine development research. Similarly, Indian academia and start-ups have also pioneered in this area. Over 30 Indian vaccines are in different stages of corona vaccine development, with a few going on to the trial stages.
Similarly, in drug development three approaches are being taken. First, the repurposing of existing drugs. At least four drugs are undergoing synthesis and examination in this category. Secondly, the development of new candidate drugs and molecules are being driven by linking high performance computational approached with laboratory verification. Thirdly, plant extracts and products are being examined for general anti-viral properties.
In diagnosis and testing, several academic research institutions and start-ups have developed new tests, both for the RT-PCR approach and for the antibody detection. In addition, by linking laboratories all over the country, capacity for both these kinds of tests have been enormously scaled up. The problem of importing reagents for testing has been addressed by consortia of Indian start-ups and industry, meeting current requirements. The current thrust also holds promise for the development of a robust long-term industry in this area.
The review by the PM took note of the extraordinary coming together of academia, industry and government, combined with speedy but efficient regulatory process. The PM desired that such coordination and speed should be embedded into a standard operating procedure. He emphasized that what is possible in a crisis should be a part of our routine way of scientific functioning.
Appreciating the scientific coming together of computer science, chemistry and biotechnology in drug discovery, the PM suggested that a hackathon be held on this subject, linking computer science to synthesis and testing in the laboratory. The successful candidates from the hackathon could be taken up by the start-ups for further development and scaling up.
The PM added that the innovative and original manner in which Indian scientists, from basic to applied sciences, have come together with industry is heartening. This kind of pride, originality and sense of purpose should dominate our approach going ahead. It is only then that we can be amongst the best in the world and not followers, in science.
Ministry of Steel
Performance of NMDC
NMDC was incorporated in the year 1958 with the objective of exploration and exploitation of minerals. Since inception, NMDC was involved in the exploration of a wide range of minerals including iron ore, copper, rock phosphate, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, bentonite, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, beach sands etc., in order to increase the mineral resource base of the country. From 4 million tons of iron ore production in 1969-70, NMDC has grown continuously and produced 42.15 MT in financial year 2021-22. NMDC has a diamond mine in Panna, the only mechanized diamond mine in Asia with a capacity of 84,000 carats.
NMDC has been conferred with Mini Ratna status in 1998 and Navratna status in 2008 by Department of Public Enterprise, Government of India. NMDC has paid about Rs.27,000 crore in dividends to the Government till date. The performance of the company has been consistently very good and above on MoU parameters.
NMDC has set up its units in the following states: -
- Chhattisgarh
- Karnataka
- Madhya Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh
State-wise revenue earned by NMDC during the last three years and the current year is as follows: -

|
|
State
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
2022-23

|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
9,407
|
|
12,682
|
|
20,014
|
|
6,339
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
2,253
|
|
2,667
|
|
5,804
|
|
1,756
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
34
|
|
21
|
|
63
|
|
-
|
|
Telangana
|
|
5
|
|
-
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Total
|
|
11,699
|
|
15,370
|
|
25,882
|
|
8,096
Mining capacity of NMDC has not declined in the recent years as may be seen from following table:-

|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Mining Capacity
|
|
Production of Iron Ore Achieved
|
|
2019-20
|
|
51.8
|
|
31.49
|
|
2020-21
|
|
51.8
|
|
34.15
|
|
2021-22
|
|
51.8
|
|
42.19
No irregularities in award of tender in NMDC have been reported in recent past except one complaint which is under enquiry.
The information was given by the Union Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Swami Dayananda Saraswati on his birth anniversary
PM pays tributes to Swami Dayananda Saraswati on his birth anniversary
Ministry of Home Affairs
Status of CAA, NRC and NPR
The Citizenship  Act, 2019 aims to facilitate grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered into India on or before the 31.12.2014 and who have been exempted by the Central Government by or under clause  of sub-section  of section 3 of the Passport  Act, 1920 or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or any rule or order made thereunder. The Citizenship  Act, 2019 has been notified on 12.12.2019 and has come into force w.e.f. 10.01.2020.
Till Now, the Government has not taken any decision to prepare National Register of Indian Citizens  at National Level.
Further, Government decided to update the National Population Register  under the Citizenship Act, 1955 along with the first phase of Census, 2021. The demographic and other particulars of each family and individual were to be updated/collected during the exercise of updation of NPR. No document is to be collected during this exercise. However, due to outbreak of Covid-19, the updation of NPR and other related field activities have been postponed.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
25th Meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council held in Mumbai
FSDC notes need for constant vigil on financial conditions and functioning of financial institutions
Mumbai, 22 February 2022
The 25th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council  was held in Mumbai today, under the Chairpersonship of Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. The Finance Minister is on a two-day post-Budget outreach visit to the city, where she is meeting with representatives of industry, financial market functionaries and bankers.
The Council deliberated on the various mandates of the FSDC and major macro-financial challenges arising in view of global and domestic developments. The Council noted that Government and all regulators need to maintain constant vigil on the financial conditions and functioning of important financial institutions, especially considering that it could expose financial vulnerabilities in the medium and long-term. The Council discussed measures required for further development of the financial sector and to achieve an inclusive economic growth with macroeconomic stability.
The Council discussed operational issues relating to currency management. It also took note of the activities undertaken by the FSDC Sub-Committee chaired by the RBI Governor and the action taken by members on the past decisions of FSDC.
The 25th FSDC meeting was also attended by Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, MoS ; Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Dr. T. V. Somanathan, Finance Secretary and Expenditure Secretary; Shri Ajay Seth, Economic Affairs Secretary; Shri Tarun Bajaj, Revenue Secretary; Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Financial Services Secretary; Shri Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Shri Rajesh Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance; Shri Ajay Tyagi, Chairperson, Securities and Exchange Board of India; Shri Supratim Bandyopadhyay, Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority; Shri Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson, International Financial Services Centres Authority; Mrs. T. L. Alamelu, Member, Insurance and Regulatory Development Authority of India; and the Secretary of the FSDC, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
The Financial Stability and Development Council has been set up by the government in consultation with financial market regulators, to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhance inter-regulatory coordination and promote financial sector development. Without prejudice to the autonomy of regulators, the Council monitors macro-prudential supervision of the economy, including functioning of large financial conglomerates, and addresses inter-regulatory coordination and financial sector development issues. It also focuses on financial literacy and financial inclusion.PIB Mumbai / Delhi | DJM/DR
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Ministry of Defence
ARMY CHIEF VISITS JAISALMER TO REVIEW EXERCISE DAKSHIN SHAKTI
General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Army Staff concluded a two day visit to an exercise location in Jaisalmer  today. During the visit, the Army Chief reviewed Exercise Dakshin Shakti which was conducted by the Southern Command of Indian Army with an aim to ensure integrated application of forces in Multi Domain Operations and upholding the Nation’s military aims over the entire spectrum of conflict.
During the past one week, units and formations of the Indian Army practiced tactical and operational manoeuvres by its Infantry, Mechanised Formations and Airborne troops in a fluid battlefield environment, operationalising future technologies. This was effected by exploiting versatile and indigenous airborne platforms such as Advanced Light Helicopter , Swarm Drones and enmeshing Artificial Intelligence to provide a cohesive operational and intelligence picture amalgamated within the Intelligence, Surveillance and Recce  Architecture.
A formidable display of the same including Special Heliborne Operations, Swarm Drone and ALH Manoeuvres and coordinated action by ground troops were also practiced. The Army Chief commended the Southern Command for fielding and exploiting the capabilities of indigenous equipment inducted as part of the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ initiative. He also emphasised the need to constantly evolve tactics, techniques and procedure to fight “Future Wars” as well as capability enhancement in Manned and Unmanned systems.
The COAS complimented all the participants for the high state of readiness and operational preparedness and exhorted them to continue their vigil for the security of the Nation.
SC/VBY/KRC
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Ministry of Coal
Ministry of Coal Enters Into Allotment Agreement With WBPDCL
The Central Government entered into an Allotment Agreement with the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited  regarding the DeochaPachamiDewanganj-Harinsingha coal block today. In accordance with the provisions of Coal Block Allocation Rules, 2017, made under the Mines and Minerals  Act, 1957, the WBPDCL has been allocated the DeochaPachamiDewanganj-Harinsingha coal block located in the State of West Bengal containing an area of 12.28 sq. km. with estimated reserves of 2102 Million Tonnes for generation of power.
The project is slated to generate both direct and indirect employment in West Bengal considerably and also contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. Further, the project envisages to address the immediate as well as the forthcoming coal and power requirements of the region.

The Allotment Agreement was signed by Shri Ram Shiromani Saroj, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Shri Amit Bhattacharyya, Director , WBPDCL, in presence of Shri SumantaChadhuri, Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Dr. P.B. Salim, Chairman/Managing Director, WBPDCL. Other senior officials of the Ministry of Coal namely, Shri Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Additional Secretary, Shri Bhabani Prasad Pati, Joint Secretary, were also present.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Department of Justice celebrates 1.5 lac Registrations of Tele-Law
Felicitates 3 top Village Level Entrepreneurs
The Department of Justice, Government of India celebrated 1,50,000 registrations for advice on Tele-Law, which is an initiative to provide pre-litigation advice to the needy people, here today. The event was organized by CSC Corporation in association with the Department of Justice.
The workshop was attended by a large number of Para Legal Volunteers and Village Level Entrepreneurs of Common Service Centres . It was highlighted in the workshop that Tele-Law provided a platform give pre-litigation advice to the needy and unreached sections of the society. A need was felt to strengthen this programme to combine digital technology with persons having knowledge of law for better functioning.
Speaking on the training programme, the Secretary, Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, Dr. Alok Srivastava said that the Tele-Law Team has trained 930 Master Trainers who will in turn train about 56 thousand Para Legal Volunteers  and Village Level Entrepreneurs  all over the country. A better and regular training is needed for PLVs and VLEs for providing a better advice to the people, he added.
The participants were also addressed on the subject of Citizen Duties. It was stressed that one must always remember that we have rights along with duties and we have to perform our duties with highest degree of sincerity.
The Tele-Law initiative was launched on April 20, 2017 with an aim to provide legal advices in the villages through CSCs. A Pilot project started in 1800 CSCs in 11 States in UP, Bihar, North Eastern States and UT of Jammu and Kashmir. This scheme has been expanded to 115 Aspirational Districts in 100 days programme of the Government of India.
A dedicated website on Tele-Law is maintained by the Department of Justice which has been designed with support from CSC eGovernance and has translated in to 22 languages. A Tele-Law mobile application is available for the PLVs to pre-register Tele-Law cases. A Tele-Law Dashboard is also developed with decentralized features for login and registration of cases and view the status of cases added for Panel Lawyers, Para Legal Volunteers etc.
Top 3 transacting VLEs under Tele Law were awarded on this occasion. A Memorandum of Understanding between CSC Academy and Capgemini was exchanged on the occasion. A Quiz programme was organized on the Constitution Day.
The Secretary, Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, the Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, MD to CSC Corporation, Senior Officials from Law and IT Ministries were present on the occasion.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Piyush Goyal meets His Excellency Mr. Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister, Government of Bangladesh in Delhi
Both sides agree to starting the discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement  at an early date
Comprehensive discussions held to further strengthen bilateral economic relations between India and Bangladesh
Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, and His Excellency Mr. Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister, Government of Bangladesh met in New Delhi today. The last meeting between the Commerce Ministers of the two countries was held in Dhaka in September 2018.
Both sides held comprehensive discussions to further strengthen bilateral economic relations.
A Joint feasibility study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement  has been carried out after the two countries agreed for exploring a bilateral FTA. The study confirmed the CEPA would provide a sound basis for substantial enhancement of trade and commercial partnership between the two countries.
Further, both sides agreed that CEPA will create new jobs, raise living standards, and provide wider social and economic opportunities in India and Bangladesh. In addition, the partnership would establish reliable and sustainable Regional Value Chains .
Both sides agreed to starting the CEPA discussions at an early date.
The Ministers discussed various issues of mutual interest including removal of non-tariff barriers and port restrictions, re-opening of border haats, harmonization and mutual recognition of Standards and procedures on both sides, settlement of trade in Indian rupees, strengthening connectivity and trade infrastructure, among others, to realise the full potential of India-Bangladesh economic ties.
Both sides agreed to work together in order to resolve the issues raised during the course of the meeting and ensure that the outcomes expected in the Joint Statement by the two leaders, PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina, in September 2022 are achieved in letter and spirit at the earliest.
Prime Minister's Office
PM announces ex-gratia for flood victims of Assam and Rajasthan
PM announces ex-gratia for flood victims of Assam and Rajasthan
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has announced an ex- gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the floods in Assam and Rajasthan.
The Prime Minister has also announced Rs. 50,000 each for those seriously injured in the floods in Assam and Rajasthan.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares the President's article
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today shared an article by the President Smt Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of International Women's Day. The article "Her Story, My Story — Why I am hopeful about gender justice" is about the indomitable spirit of Indian women and her own journey.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"On the way back from Tripura I read this article and found it very motivating. I would urge others to read it as well. On Women’s Day, it chronicles the life journey of a very inspiring person who devoted her life to service and rose to become India’s President."
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Side Event on leveraging ICT for Combating Corruption in Public Sector
The First G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting under India’s G20 Presidency began today at Gurugram, Haryana. As part of the meeting, a Side Event was held on the theme ‘Leveraging ICT for combating corruption in Public Sector’. Eminent experts from various walks of life spoke at the event, which was attended by delegates from various member countries.
In recent years, the role of ICT has been recognized globally for fighting corruption. Many countries are increasingly using ICT to increase efficiency, reducing corruption through promoting transparency, unmasking government data to public review/analysis, automating government processes, restricting discretion of officials and restraining the need to interact with the gatekeepers/ officials to access key services. ICT not only enables citizens’ empowerment through access to information but also flattens the hierarchies in public service delivery systems.
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has been stressing on the power of digitization and bridging the digital divide to promote transparency, flow of information, and communication to curb corruption at all levels in the society. In keeping with this goal, the Side Event of the ACWG meeting saw active participation of government agencies such as Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology; Direct Benefit Transfer and Government E-Marketplace to discuss how integration of automation of government processes have made public delivery efficient and non-discretionary.
The Digital ecosystem in India has reduced several processes and direct interaction with public officers and have made authentic information accessible and paper-less. For instance, the Digilocker has over 144.6 million registered users and UMANG has done transactions of over 3.36 billion through the digital platform. As part of Direct Benefit Transfers India has seen creation of over 1.35 billion digital identities for residents and over 470 million basic accounts were opened to access all social welfare schemes directly by the citizens. Over 11,000 products categories with around 2.8 million listed products, over 260 service categories and over 2.5 lakh service offerings are available on Government E marketplace
The panelists for the Side Event included Mr. Adil Zainulbhai, Chairperson, Capacity Building Commission, Ms. Keyzom Ngodup Massally, UNDP Chief Digital Officer, Mr Giuseppe Busia, President of National Anti Corruption Authority, Italy, Dr Saurabh Garg, CEO UIDAI, Mr Tidhar Wald, Deputy Managing Directoe, Better Than Cash Alliance, Mr. Ambrish Shahi, Senior Social Protection Specialist, World Bank, Mr. Stephane Bessadi, Senior Procurement Specialist, Asian Development Bank and senior government officers.
Inclusiveness through transparency and efficiency through ICT is promoting the mantra “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and the deliberations during the Side Event reinforced this.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Vehicle Scrappage Policy
The scrapping policy, with a gamut of incentives/ dis-incentives is designed for creation of an ecosystem to phase out old and unfit polluting vehicles. It is likely to lead to higher growth in the auto and ancillary industries. It would also ensure availability of rare-earth metals, as also raw materials for steel industry, etc. The policy is likely to generate more employment with development of the scrapping ecosystem, and higher growth in the automotive sector.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri NitinGadkari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Schemes for Transgenders
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes sub scheme -‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’.
Standing Finance Committee has approved the scheme on 30.11.2021.
The focus of the sub-scheme is on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities and intervention, counseling, education, skill development, economic linkages to the transgender persons.
Skill development training to the Transgender beneficiaries is also being conducted through PM-DAKSH - A skill development scheme of the Ministry.
On 21st Aug, 2020, National Council for Transgender Persons was constituted to advise Government on policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons.
The Ministry has launched National Portal for Transgender Persons on 25th November, 2020. Any Transgender applicant can obtain Certificate of Identity and Identity Card without any physical interface with the office of issue. The person who has been issued a certificate of identity are entitled to change the first name in the birth certificate and all other official documents relating to the identity of such person.
Ministry has initiated 12 pilot shelter homes namely 'Garima Greh': Shelter Home for Transgender Persons. The main aim of these shelter homes is to provide safe and secure shelter to Transgender persons in need. These pilot shelter homes are in States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Ministry has provided full financial assistance to community based organizations  for setting up of these shelter homes which provide basic amenities like food, shelter, medical care, recreational facilities and also conduct capacity-building and skill development programmes for Transgender persons.
During lockdown period in COVID pandemic a helpline was also setup to provide psychological support through trained Psychologists to Transgender Persons in distress during COVID period.
This information was given by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.